The $891 million Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension between Pasadena and Azusa will begin operating March 5, Metro officials announced Thursday.
The nearly 12-mile extension of the line will have stations in Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale and Azusa.
Metro CEO Phil Washington said the opening will bring the transit agency to a total of 99 miles of rail operations. He also noted that on the same day the Foothill Extension opens for business, Metro will introduce an express bus between North Hollywood and Pasadena.
Washington also said he expects the Gold Line extension to exceed ridership projections.
“It’s going to be a very popular line,” he said.
Although construction on the line is already complete, Metro still needs to conduct rail and safety tests along the route before it can open for business.
Once open, passengers will be able to ride the Gold Line from Union Station to Azusa, a trip that is expected to take about 50 minutes.
— Wire reports